Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-08-25
HE PITCHERS ARM.
A New Physiological Development for Base
BAH Performers

l - <C1 11ysAOAOtSAcaL DSEo-OpmcnLlOr la 81
| BAH Performers
A new physiological development has
come from the introduction of modern
curve pitching, and is known as the
| pitchers ARM Just as scriyener's
paralysis is produced by using certain
muscles in excess, the pitchers arm is
the result of the peculiar motion which
the modern pitcher uses to give the
ball that long-doubted twist which
alone seems able to strike out the OPP
posing batsman and earn the pitcher 8
salary.
| DIR. Leuf, of Philadelphia. discusses
this subject in manner deserving the
attention of all present base ball lights
and of the more youthful aspirants for
the future. DR.. Leuf estimates that a
pitcher averages about one hundred and
eighty pitches in game, in each OF
which the ball is delivered with almost
all possible speed. With the manner
of producing the curve the readers of
| the Sun are already familiar, but the
| special muscles engaged and affected
| by the process of curving are so lucidly
| discoursed upon by DR.. Leuf that we
| will follow his words in their most i'm
portant bearing. He defines the seats
of trouble when the incurve, the out
curve, the down-curve, and the up
curve have been resorted to in excess,
as follows:
The in-curve calls into action most
particularly the pectoralis major, the
biceps, brachialis anticus, and f1exors
of the forearm. The out-curve affects
the pectnralis major, coraco-brachialis
intraspinatus, teres minor, and ulnar
muscles. The down-curve strains most
especially the pectoralis major, trapez-
lus, deltOid, and serratus magnus.
The up-curve is mostly caused by the
pectoralis major, biceps, and supinator
brevis.
If Larry Corcoran had but known
that his trouble lay in the coraco-bra-
chailis, or in his intraspinatus,
wouldn't he have dropped his out curve
like hot potato until the crumbling
foundation of his fame and fortune had
got we'll?
The up-curve also strains the lattissi-
mus dorsi. All curves strain the elbow
joint and tend to separate the radius
and the capitellum of the Humorous.
The constant necessity for quick twists
of the elbow have particular unfOr-
tunate effect upon the brachialis anticus.
Alas for the brachialisi
DR.. Leuf maintains that the bones of
Il pitchers arm may be seriously
affected. The constant strain upon
the bone by the pulling tendons pro-
duces Inflammation and calcareous de-
posts, and the petroleum being pulled
about hypertrophy of the subjacent
bone follows.
These are only the principal points
of DR.. Leuf's thesis. In regard to
treatment, regular exercise is recon-
mended. Do not pitch too swiftly when
you have an loft day." when you do
not feel able to do yourself justice,
don't try to pitch hard. Let your
average be less considered than your
arm, but to be in good form pitcher
muA: practice about an hour morning
and afternoon, Sundays included. All
exercise must be taken in the sun. If
the thermometer is below sixty vigor-
Gus pitching is risky, and the danger
increases as the temperature falls.
Never use liniments. They are no
good. Rubbing is bad, too. Hot
water is good, as is also mild galvan-
ism.
Alas, how many famous arms are
now comparatively quiet, and their
owners no longer figures for popular
admiration on account of pitchers
arm" How many brilliant reputa-
tons have been ruined through the
ignorance of or contempt for facts and
principles which DIR. Leuf lays down
with such experienced authority. Let
us trust that his precepts will be
needed. In that case the ball field
now so strewn with the wrecks of
twirlers may be trod by an unbrOken
list of capable and unsluggable pitch
ers, each with sound arms and salary
of $4,000 a year.-N. Y. San.